Except for boxing, the 15 other priority sports for the 2008 Olympics have already identified their athletes who will undergo specialized training in the hope of making it to the Beijing Games.
A total of 50 names are already out, almost half of them bound for China on May 28, and the rest either in the United States training or still at home waiting for foreign coaches.
Those leaving for China are Shiela Mae Perez, Niño Carog, Dhayna Lemay, Nicole Lemay, Jaime Asok, Rexel Ryan Fabriga, Kevin Kong and Zardo Domenios of diving; Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting; Roel Ramirez, Raissa Saguisag and Danica Calapatan of gymnastics; Benjie Rivera, Eduard Folayang, Marianne Mariano, Mary Rose Estimar, Willy Wang and Janice Hung of wushu; Ryan Arabejo of swimming; and Emerson Segui, Rolando Canlas, Gian Nocom, Joanna Franquelli and Veena Tessa Nuestro of fencing.
Already training in the US are Ralph Soguillon, Sheena Atilano, Henry Dagmil and Maristella Torres of athletics; Cecil Mamiit and Eric Taino of lawn tennis; Miguel Mendoza, Miguel Molina, James Walsh, Jacklyn Pangilinan and Erica Totten of swimming; and Heidi Ilustre and Diane Pascua of beach volley.
Bound for Australia are Jethro Dionisio, Nathaniel Padilla, Gay Josefina Corral and Paul Biran Rosario of shooting; for Romania Benjamin Tolentino and Alvin Amposta of rowing; for Korea Mary Antoniette Rivero, Tshomlee Go, Alexander Briones, John Paul Lizardo, Kathleen Eunice Alora and Veronica Domingo of taekwondo; and for Korea is Marvin Cordero of archery.
Boxing, a bright hope in the coming Olympics, was given six slots but has yet to submit their names.
“As we’ve said, their training will go on and continue despite the absence of funds from the private sector. But we are hoping that we can raise the money soon or the training of these athletes will be cut short,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez.
“For the meantime, the PSC has set aside a contingency fund for this,” he added.